Five tiger cubs born at BBP

Birth of five tiger cubs has brought cheers to the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) which was in the dock due to death of several animals, including five tigers in recent times.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, M N Jayakumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) and member secretary of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka said that four cubs were born to Manasa, a tigress at safari at BBP on February 25, and Menaka gave birth to a cub four weeks ago.

The authorities decided to wait for a while before announcing the births, as a cub born to tigress Yashoda died due to infection soon after.

B C Chittiappa, Assistant Director of Veterinary Services (BBP) said that the newborns were healthy and were being monitored regularly.

Five tigers, including Divya, Minchu and Arya, had died due to salmonella infection. On December 1 last year, Sneha died of pneumonia, epilepsy and neurological problems. The biological park witnessed several births last month: An elephant, Veda gave birth to a calf on March 12 and Vanitha to a female elephant calf, taking the number of elephants to 12.